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PLANNING AT VICTORIA FIELD HOUSE

PREPARING FOR EXPANSION BY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Holly Kreft, Community Development Director for the City of Victoria, reviewed with Council the revised site plans for the Field House expansion at Diethelm Park and submitted a request from School District 112 for a minor subdivision. This is necessary, she explained, because the Field House (two acres) and Diethelm Park (36.85 acres) are two separate parcels.

She stated that City Staff and Planning Commission recommend approval of the minor subdivision. On June 12th, Council voted 4-0 to approve. Jim Paulsen was absent.

Mayor Mary Thun said she received a letter from a resident concerned about removal of the Acorn House and relocation of the playground area, both of which are necessary to accommodate the expansion as set forth by School District 112. The District is constructing a second sheet of ice on the west side of the Field House and modifying interior space of the Field House to accommodate those uses formerly occurring at the Acorn House. The plan includes the addition of a daycare area to the gymnasium. Additional parking space will consume former playground area.

Councilmember Tim Amundsen commented on construction of a new water retention pond on the property. “It sounds silly to dig another hole for water when there’s already a hole there for water. We created that wetland in the first place. There was a barn there before.”

Steve Pumper, financial director for District 112, stated, “We are bound by requirements.”

Added Steve Miller, architect for the District, “It’s a very regulated calculation. We would like to look at another location for a retention pond. It’s a tight site. We’ll continue to look at that before we submit drawings for consideration.”

In addition to the second sheet of ice, the project includes seating for 600 and locker room. The School District anticipates construction to begin in September with completion in the Summer of 2009. Field House operations will remain with the City of Victoria. The ice arena will be the responsibility of the School District.

The Acorn House is a former private residence that came along with the purchase of Diethelm Park in 1998 and has been used by the City of Victoria for additional office space, as well as for preschool, senior citizen, and other gatherings. According to Ann Mahnke, Field House Director, “The construction schedule has the Acorn House removal occurring October 1st.”

VICTORIA CHOOSES OPTION FOR HWY 5

AND HOPES TO HEAR FROM MNDOT SOON

Council approved a “locally supported option” for the improvement of Highway 5 through Victoria. Choosing a locally supported option gives MnDOT the opportunity to move forward to the next step.

City staff recommended, and city council concurred with, the 150-foot wide right of way option. This widest option allows for a sidewalk, a trail, and suitable streetscape.

This option includes six full access intersections in Victoria: at Minnewashta Parkway, Rolling Acres/Bavaria Road, Park Drive/Kochia Lane, 80th Street, existing downtown lighted intersection, and Victoria Drive at the Dairy Queen.

It includes a three-quarters access at 78th Street and Stieger Lake Lane, which is the Digger’s Polaris intersection. This option does not require the acquisition of the Polaris dealership.

It includes construction of three right-in, right-out accesses to Hwy 5: at Quamoclit, at Rose Street, and at 81st Street.

It includes property purchase of the six homes that have direct access to Hwy 5 just west of Rolling Acres Road.

It includes property purchase of four homes (8000 Petunia, 8000 Quamoclit, 8000 Victoria Drive, 8026 Victoria Drive).

It includes property purchase of the Holiday Station at 1793 Arboretum Blvd.

Stated Holly Kreft, Victoria’s Director of Community Development, “These recommendations are based on meetings we’ve had with the stakeholders and the two open houses.”

Mayor Mary Thun thanked both Holly and City Engineer Cara Geheren for doing an excellent job in arriving at this point. City staff will provide an update to councilmembers once MnDOT receives and responds to the information from Victoria.

After the unanimous vote of the Victoria City Council to accept this option as recommended, Councilmember Richard Tieden commented on a recent meeting of the Association of Elected Carver County Leaders, which he has been voluntarily attending. “This is a group of about 30 people,” said Richard, “and I was the only one who voted for the Highway 5 improvements. Don’t you find that shocking?”

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